NCS Technologies to debut zero-client laptop for government

NCS Technologies announced the Cirrus LT, a zero-client laptop that offers secure computing for government users. Zero client is a computing model in which the end users have no local software.

The firm, creator of the Stratus MCS (multiple client system) to secure government desktops, said it is now extending its technology to the mobile arena. The move would let laptop users to work securely anywhere in world and could also reduce costs, improve energy efficiency and ease deployment and administration, the company said in its release.

Cirrus connects a keyboard, monitor and mouse to a data center server in a remote location, with no data stored on the client. The Cirrus comes with a docking station, battery and Wi-Fi capability.

For the connection back to home base, the Cirrus LT takes advantage of high security protocols, including AES-256 cryptography and NSA Suite B ciphers, used in conjunction with a PCoIP remote workstation card.

The system doesn’t retain any user data because it has no local storage, a hard drive or an operating system. That means secrets won’t be compromised if the device is lost, physically broken into or stolen.

The mobile zero-client laptop is based on Teradici PCoIP technology. The PCoIP protocol compresses, encrypts and encodes the entire computing experience at the data center and transmits only pixels across the IP network. Users have fully functional access to all applications.

“Teradici’s PCoIP technology was designed to deliver a high performance, secure and easy-to-manage user experience for virtual desktop and remote workstation users on any device and on any network,” said Ziad Lammam, director of product management for Teradici Corp.

The Cirrus LT specifications include a Teradici PCoIP processor TERA2321, a 14-inch LCD with a native resolution of 1,366 by 768 with an anti-glare coating, an integrated Realtek 10/100/1000Mb Base-TX Ethernet LAN card, a Ralink 802.11 a/b/g/n card, fiber support in a port replicator, a standard network port and a six cell Li-Ion battery. It has a weight of 3.62 pounds and is 13.3-inches long by 9.2-inches wide.

The Cirrus LT will be available for government purchase in the second quarter of this year.

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Reader Comments

Wed, Apr 30, 2014

Do you have any idea of the price ?

Tue, Mar 4, 2014

As a Network Admin who works within the DOD, I would stay far away from NCS. Their systems are junk, and the most replaced of all systems at my base. I have stacks of SSD's that have failed in their "rugged laptops". Please find another solution.

Mon, Feb 10, 2014

Isn't this sort of like a mobile 3270 from those ancient dinosaur mainframe days. Whatever happened to those wonderful days when PERSONAL Computing would take over the world?

Fri, Feb 7, 2014
Billy White

This looks like something my agency could really use. We need something with real laptop power, but no way to lose data in the field. You would be surprised how many people lose their laptops when they travel, and we mostly work within the 50 states. I bet its worse for those who go overseas.

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